Chapter 5
Elizabeth awaited her aunt and uncle patiently within the sitting room. The three were headed out to dine at the invitation of Lady Matlock. Lady Matlock had made a sound first impression on Elizabeth, as had her husband at the bookstore. She was looking forward to seeing them both again. It was perhaps the close friendship between her aunt and Lady Matlock, but both the Earl and Countess felt like a natural connection, despite their station in the peerage. Neither had bandied about gossip, but had rather engaged in informed discussion, a trait Elizabeth valued. Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth thought wryly, would be appalled that a country hoyden like herself would fancy that knowing the two of them felt as natural as breathing. He and Miss Bingley would be offended that her aunt, the wife of a mere tradesman, considered a countess to be a close friend. She wondered if they would look down on the Matlocks for the association despite their title or if they would simply pretend the Gardiners and her did not exist, not that either of the two would ever discover the connection, even if Bingley did marry Jane. Aunt Maddy did not flaunt the connection and Miss Bingley would never deign to meet any of Aunt Maddy's friends.
It was as she considered this that a suprise visitor was announced into the sitting room. Elizabeth rose in shock as her cousin, Collins, entered her aunt's sitting room.
"My dear Couisn Elizabeth," Collins said with satisfaction. "Now that you have considered your situation, I am prepared to accept your positive response to my petition for your humble hand. I expect due recompense for the wait you have subjected me to," he finished with a leer.
"My answer," Elizabeth said frostily, "has not altered. It remains a no, and as I assured you the last time we spoke of this, I have no intentions of changing it."
"What's this? Surley you must see that your response is unacceptable. If you cannot see your way to changing it, I shall make you change it. I have permission," Collins said as he lunged at her. Elizabeth with a shriek barely avoided him. He rightened himself fairly quickly and his hands sought the fabric of her skirt to halt her, and yanking her towards him he roughly pulled her into his arms and sought to bring his mouth down onto hers as his hands brutally gripped her arms, hard enough to leave bruises, restraining her. As his lips attempted to crush hers, Elizabeth bit down on his, as she struggled to free herself as she fought him.
"What is the meaning of this?" Gardiner demanded as he entered the room and grasped the parson, freeing Elizabeth. Elizabeth threw herself into her aunt's arms, scared sobs breaking out.
"My fair cousin Elizabeth is to be my bride. I have with me a letter stating her father's consent to the match," Collins said oily.
"My father supported my refusal," Elizabeth declared hotly, her anger over ruling her fear.
"And he has wisely reconsidered his stance," Collins said with satisfaction.
"No," Elizabeth breathed out as her uncle demanded to see the letter, releasing Collins to let him retrieve it from his pocket.
Collins handed over the letter with smug satisfaction. Gardiner read it out loud, "I, Thomas Bennet, give William Collins my consent for his engagement to my underage daughter, Elizabeth Bennet. Who, until she is of age, is required to follow the dictates of her guardian that are communicated to her. She may procure her wedding trousseau in town, under the ageis of my brother-in-law Gardiner and his wife, who I know will consider best where to send her for what she will need the most. She may stay there until the time she can return, knowing the importance of the date in relation to her future happiness. I expect to be busy taking her youngest sister in hand while she is gone. Certain behavior as come to my attention, thanks to my cousin, which cannot be ignored. He declares he will deliver this letter on a brief stop in town as he journeys to Kent and his parsonage. With wishes of best luck that you succeed in your endeavors, Thomas Bennet."
Elizabeth paled, but said nothing.
"As you can see Elizabeth is to be my wife, thanks to her unruly little sister. Who knew Cousin Lydia would prove herself to be so useful," Collins said with a smirk.
"Blackmail?" Elizabeth said with disgust. "You have blackmailed my father."
"I am not the one who bade your sister be livley and spread her skirts for the local militia," Collins said. "I merely caught her in the act and promised my silence on the matter in return for your hand since the officer she was with refused to marry her and your father is in no position to pay to bring the man up to scratch."
"That will do, Mr. Collins," Gardiner said harshly. "I understand my brother perfectly in his letter. I assume you travel to Kent?"
"Yes, my patroness Lady Catherine de Bough, is anticipating my arrival. She will be pleased with my choice of bride. You are just what will delight her. I imagine she will enjoy offering you instruction. She will certainly admire your spirit, cousin. I cannot delay further, but wished to appraise my cousin of this development and celebrate it with her," he added with a leer at Elizabeth causing her to shudder.
"Consent from her father is not yet a marriage. Such behavior as I witnessed will not be tolerated until after the wedding ceremony," Gardiner said firmly, disguising his disgust and anger he felt for the parson. He understood his brother-in-law's letter perfectly. They were to hide Elizabeth away until she reached her majority this summer or he was able to marry Lydia off before then.
"Who was it?" Elizabeth asked quietly. "Who was the officer?"
"Lt. Wickham," Collins said with a smirk. "She knew him what, a bare fortnight before she lifted her skirts for him? Your family is evidently a very passionate one. I look forward to our marriage and all that it entails greatly."
"I am afraid that we were about to depart for an engagement with friends. I trust you will find it no inconvenience to continue on with your journey right away," Gardiner said in a controlled tone. He knew he needed to get this man out of his house before he gave himself and his brother's plan away with an angry reponse. "My niece will be in contact. We shall take care of the arrangements on our end. Madeline, please take Elizabeth to her room and see about setting her to rights so we are not late." He knew his niece had still not committed verbally to the engagement and he had no intentions of letting her, considering her father's true instructions.
...
Once Collins was gone Gardiner made his way up to his neice's chambers and after a knock on the door, was bade to enter. Looking his niece in the eye, he said firmly, "You will not be marrying that man. Your father's letter was very clear on that fact."
"But Lydia, if I do not, we are ruined. Jane is ruined. Mr. Bingley will return and hear the rumors of our shame and have to foresake her," Elizabeth said crying.
"Your father wishes for us to hide you until you are of age or he is able to prevail on someone to marry Lydia. He has bought that cretin's silence with a fake engagement. Now dry your eyes." Addressing his wife he said, "We need to put our minds to where Lizzy can go and how we can arrange to help wipe away Lydia's ruin."
"Shall I send a note to Susan?"
"To cancel our engagement tonight or seek her help?" Gardiner ask shrewdly.
"Susan will help us if I ask. No one would suspect Lizzy of hiding out there," Madeline said decisively.
"Very well. Send the note," Gardiner said.
…
Darcy glanced anxiously at his aunt's doorway. He had considered allowing Georgiana to attend the dinner since he greatly wished for her to meet Elizabeth, but had decided against it. If what his aunt said was true, he needed to focus on improving her opinion of him and fostering a relationship between the two of them before fostering one between Elizabeth and Georgiana. The Gardiners and Elizabeth were expected to arrive any minute and the wait was excruciating.
"Darcy stop glaring at the doorway. If that is the look you intend to greet your Miss Elizabeth with, she very well may turn around and walk out the door before meeting the rest of us," Sutton chided him.
"He is right you know, you are more likely to scare her away then woo her with that frightful face," Col. Fitzwilliam said with a laugh. "If this is how you acted in her company before I begin to see why mother claims Miss Elizabeth believes you dislike her."
Before Darcy could offer up a retort, the butler came in, but rather then announce any guests, he handed Lady Matlock a folded and sealed note.
Lady Matlock read it silently, her eyes widing and gasped. Glancing up at her family, she said with trepidation, "Maddy begs my assistance and I intend to give it to her. She writes to suggest that they cannot attend dinner tonight due to an unfortunate occurrence that has left Elizabeth overset, but begs my assistance with a delicate matter and wonders if I would be willing to come to her house to discuss it tomorrow. It pertains to Lizzy and her safety."
"Elizabeth is in danger," Darcy said hoarsely.
"I intend to respond entreating her to keep tonight's engagement, that all of us here are willing to offer our assistance," his aunt said. "Maddy does not say it, but I gather Elizabeth is in some danger. If that is the case she can be better protected here then at Maddy's home."
"Of course. I quite liked her when I met her. The boys certainly won't gossip about it."
"I would do anything to assist her," Darcy said firmly. "I can deliever your response and escort them here."
"Your escort will not be necessary, William. If Lizzy is upset, she does not need you glaring at her in the carriage as is evidently your want. I shall write my note and suggest Lizzy pack an overnight valsise," Lady Matlock said firmly walking over to a desk and pulling out some paper. Darcy watched her as she wrote and then crossed over to her, hovering over her.
Glancing up at him, she said, "Stop hovering Darcy. I know no more then I have told you." Handing him Madeline's note, she said, "You may read it yourself."
Darcy silently read. Susan, I am afraid an incident of an alarming nature has occurred moments ago, leaving Elizabeth overset and in no condition to be in company tonight. I beg of your assistance in handling what is a delicate matter. I pressume on our friendship for the sake of my niece. I would do anything for her and I know I can rely on you as my friend to assist me in doing so. Is it to much to ask that you come by at your earliest convience tomorrow? Time, I am afraid, may be of the essence. Your friend, Maddy
Darcy let out a low growl of frustration at the note. It told him absolutely nothing, he thought in irritation. For Elizabeth to be overset the incident had to be something major. She was not the type to be upset about anything minor. How was he to protect her, when he knew nothing about the situation, he thought with frustration.